Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Ice Cutting 2020 Blog



 
The big event I have been planning for months has come and gone.  14 brave guys headed north to camp to tackle an almost impossible job.  In one week we built a log cabin and put up 50,000 pounds of ice.  This was done in temperatures from -30 degrees to 23 degrees.  We struggled through about 8 inches of fresh snow on top of the 12-20 inches of old snow.  Making sure you have everything you need to take care of 14 people as well as build a cabin, snowmobiles to get you to and from camp,  all tools and equipment to put up large amounts of ice, crossing the borders with much of the stuff turned out to be quite the endeavor.   I would like to report we accomplished all most all of it in 7 days.




The trip started out with me and 2 others going into camp early to get ready for all the work that was to come.  The other bunch of guys traveled from Ohio, Indiana, Texas and Iowa.  All of them joined up in international falls and enjoyed an evening eating pizza and drinking beer.  From there they all headed out to meet me and 45,000 pounds of cabin on a semi in the bush to unload and start moving into Wine Lake.  Over the next Four days we worked in teams.  We had one crew running logs and all the other tools, doors, windows etc… into camp in non stop round trips.  Each trip took at least an hour and a half.  They worked all day at this, many times returning on their last trip well after dark.   

The second team worked on putting up ice at Wine Lake for the last time.
These guys worked tirelessly at cutting and putting up 400 pound blocks of ice.  They struggled this year due to the cold and had many problems with the saws.  Though most of them were experienced they had to work through and overcome obstacles that made the job move slowly.  In the end they tackled the job and worked very hard to make sure it still got done. 














The third crew worked on building the cabin.  My brother, who studied how to build the cabin and put in endless hours prior to arriving, led the team to make sure the cabin was built properly and made sure the project went as well as possible.  These guys worked on slippery ladders and logs through snowstorms and the brutal cold and still were able to pull the project together.  When the other crews finished their jobs, all of the crew worked together to get as much done on the cabin as was possible in the time that we had.


















A few of the crew broke off early for a couple days to go fish.  They were able to bring back enough walleyes and perch for us to have a great fish fry on Thursday night.  It was a great way to celebrate all of our accomplishments.  

I wish I could explain how truly difficult it was to do many things in the cold,  wind and snow, with tools that did not want to work or broke because of the cold.  Trying to work high on slippery ladders that would not sit properly in the snow or at angles because of the hill.  The end result however is an awesome cabin that will be enjoyed for many years to come. 




Though we worked from about 8am to dark everyday, the guys certainly found time in the evening to unwind and relax.  Lots of spirits were consumed and lots of cards were played.  Many times the temperature in the lodge never got above 60 degrees but this crew just kept on thriving through it all. 




I will let the pictures tell the story, but just want to thank the guys that worked to make this happen.  They are a great group of individuals that worked together to become an incredible team.  I am truly blessed to call of these gentlemen my friend.  Thanks guys